Invalid drinking glass and tube



Aug. 25, 1936. 5 5s 2,052,496

INVALID DRINKING GLASS AND TUBE Filed Aug. 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor George Siass z' A Home};

1936. G. sTAssl INVALID DRINKING GLASS AND TUBE J m 7 0 0 Y A tlorney Patented Aug. 25, 19 36 PATENT OFFICE I 2,052,496 IN ALID DRINKING GLASS AND TUBE George Stassi, New Orleans, La.

Application August 5, 1935, Serial No. 34,845

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel combination sick-room accessory especially designed for use by invalids and sickpersons in the home and in I the hospital.

Almost everyone is familiar with the present method'of feeding drinking water and administering liquids and medicines to patients while confined to the bed. Likewise, it is a matter of commonknowledge. that the present day method of using an ordinary drinking glass and a more or less straight glass feeding tube is characterized by antiquity from a standpoint of practicability and crude mode of use. Not only does the glass,

when thus uncovered, become laden with dust and tube arecertainly not properly serviceable and in keeping with good taste from the standpoint of efliciency and sanitation.

Manifestly, nervous fear of mishaps or unknown contingencies and lack of familiarity with drinking accessories of this old type at times tends to cause an overcautious patient to waive the opportunity to frequently use the standard tube and glass. Then, too? a'weak and feeble invalid or sick person, lacking strength and stability, is often restrained from having the freedom of use of his hands and limbs for adequate use of the regulation tube and glass. These and many other factors enter into the picture which reflects the present day difiiculties and inconsiderate adoption and use of such precarious articles.

Inspired to overcome these well recognized problems and to provide something which the patient will welcome with enthusiasm, I have perfected a novel assemblage of parts forming ,a liquid supply appliance which is feasible for satisfactory use whether the patient is lying on his back, side or flat] on his stomach, something which is likewise practical for use irrespective of the angle at which the user may be propped up in bed. Briefly, I have found it expedientand practicable to accomplish what I desire by using a glass or equivalent receptacle, providing this with a special cover and associating with the cover an especially designed drinking tube, all of these parts having been carefully selected and coordi-f nated to make for eiflciency, dependability, sim plicity and economy.

The essent al features and advantages of the improved combination will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a top plan view of the assemblage constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective showing of the detachl0 able replaceable and cleanable feeding or drinking tube.

Figure 4 is a perspective-drawing of the cover or cap for theglassv Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section taken 15 approximately on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fi ure 1.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the mouth of the drinking glass. 4

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectionalview of 20 the rim portion of the flexible rubber glass cover. In the novel assemblage which I have developed I use a suitable drinking receptacle such as a glass 8. As shown in Figure 5 and as brought out emphatically in Figure 6 the glass is provided at 25 its mouth portion with an annular, bead 9 which is utilized as a retention element for the sanitary flexible rubber (preferably white dental rubber) cover ID. This cover comprises a somewhat conical diaphragm portion having a flared en- 30 trance neck I2 and a depending vertically aligned retention sleeve l3 for the glass feeding or drinking tube It. As shown in Figure 7, the cover includes a marginal rim which rim is centrally divided by a slot l5 to define inner and outer 35 annular skirts l6 and I! which fit snugly down over the glass. At the juncture of the channelled rim and the flexible diaphragm portion I2 is an upstanding annular rib is which serves as a reinforcing member and which is itself formed with 40 an annular bore IE! to accommodate the bead 9. Thus this especially designed rim of the cover fits effectively over the beaded portion'of the glass to provide a liquid proof connection. In addition the flared neck l2 facilita es insertion of the glass 4 tube [4 while the sleeve I3 snugly surrounds the tube and serves not only as a guide and retention element but as packing means as well. These features l2 and I3 provide an ideal flexible mounting for the tube l4 so that it is tiltable and turnable 50 and virtually mounted in place by what may be des ribed as a un versal joint.

The tube as shown for example in Figure 3 comprises a vertical stem portion 2|] having :1 lateral intake at its lower end as indicated at 2| and 5 having a suitably shaped bend at 22 leading off into the mouth piece 23. The features 22 and 23 form a sort of goose-neck on the upper end of the delivery tube or stem 20. Manifestly, this tube alone is an ideal improvement in that it conforms more nearly to the purposes and conditions met and aids the patient and lessens the strain of drinking especially for the convalescent patient.

The assemblage, as a unit, may be said to be of a triple part character. For example, drinking glass 8 is ingenious in that it includes the bead 9 to accommodate the special closing cover or cap l0. Secondly, the cap I is structurally distinguishable as a refinement in this line of endeavor in that it is characterized by the flexible rubber diaphragm II to provide requisite resiliency and self adapting measures. Furthermore, features I2 and I3 serving as the neck and retention guide or as the jointing means between the tube l4 and the cap I0 is believed to be an innovation due to the ability to accommodate proper angling of the drinking tube with relation to the glass 8 whether the glass is tilted or straight. The water proof connection between the rim of the cover l0 and the beaded glass is an appreciable feature of requisite newness. Moreover the glass tube I4 is itself an ingenious adaptation usable alone or in combination with the special glass and cover. Having a' special shape'with the goose neck portion on the top it lends itself nicely to the needs of the patient.

Novelty is predicated on the combination ac cessory suitable for use by a patient ill in bed and in a weakened condition not able to drink without the assistance of a nurse from the ordinary glass and tube. With the device described the patient may assume almost any position in bed and pick up the glass with the tube attached in one hand and tilt the glass as desired to drain the full contents without lifting the head from the pillow and without being obsessed with the fear of spilling the liquid; A feature of paramount importance is the sanitary factor derived from the use of a sanitary cap which conceals the liquid and protects it from being subjected to dust and germs and bacteria that may be in the room, especially when the room is occupied by two or more patients such as is the case in many hospital wards. This improved drinking appliance may be used even in darkness. During the night a patient desiring to use the glass and tube need not be afraid of breaking. the tube or glass as often happens with the ordinary tubes and therefore the invention invites its own use by nervous folks. The foregoing and many other features of advantage may be accredited through this special development. It is believed unnecessary however, to delve further into the commercial phases of the case.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a "clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

A cap for drinking glasses formed from elastic material and including a crown portion provided at the center thereof with an integral drinking tube accommodating sleeve extending inwardly from the under side of the crown and an integral resilient mouth for said sleeve extending outwardly from the outer side of said crown and having an internallyflared terminal extending outwardly from. the crown to facilitate initial introduction of one end of a drinking tube for passage of the tube through the sleeve, as and for the purpose specified.

GEORGE STASSI. 

